Blackjack Dealer Stands On 17
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- Blackjack Dealer Stands On 17 Strategy
- Blackjack Strategy Chart Dealer Stands On 17
Some players avoid blackjack because they don’t quite understand the ‘dealer must hit on soft 17’ rule on a blackjack table, but this rule can be quite favourable to a player provided they know how to play their hand.
Additionally, players who have played blackjack with the soft 17 rule, may have been tricked into thinking the basic strategy chart is universal and there is only one applicable to every set of rules. This is incorrect. S
Blackjack Dealer Rules
o for players who either avoid the game because they can’t understand the rule, or for those have have been using the wrong strategy chart, we offer some information on the rule which may come in handy, the different basic strategy charts involved, as well as the best variations that offer the rule to help players play 21 at their optimum.
Blackjack is when you have an Ace and any card counting as 10. When this happens, you win back 2.5x of your stake, unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which case you just get your stake back. If you go over 21, you have bust and lose your stake. If the dealer beats you by getting blackjack, or closer to 21, without going bust, you’ll lose. The blackjack dealer then takes cards himself or stands according to specific predefined rules depending on the numerical value his cards add up to. Finally, the blackjack dealer pays individuals who have won the hand. Blackjack is a popular game in Las Vegas.
What is a soft 17 in blackjack?
A soft 17 not only affects the dealer, but it also effects the player. A soft hand occurs with an Ace, while a hard hand can occur with an Ace but it has to equal one, not 11. A soft hand is when the Ace exists as 11. So when we are talking about whether a 17 is hard or soft, the Ace is integral to the hand.
Basically, a hard 17 is when an Ace, seven, and nine occurs, with the Ace existing as one, as if the Ace was an 11 it would bust as it is amounts over 21.
A soft 17 however, exists as a six and an Ace, so the Ace counts as an 11.
The rule soft 17 means the dealers have to hit when they land a soft 17 hand. Players can figure out whether or not the soft 17 rule is in effect for the dealer by finding the rule written on the virtual table online, or by asking a croupier at land-based venues.
Why would a dealer hit on a soft 17?
Since it is soft, once dealers draw their third card, they can change the Ace amount from 11 to one. For example, say the dealer got a soft 17, so an Ace and a six, then drew a nine. It would appear they had 26 meaning they busted, but since the Ace can turn into a one, the amount actually totals 16.
So why is this a favourable rule for players?
Well take the aforementioned example. Drawing a nine totalled the dealer’s hand to 16, which is considered a terrible hand in blackjack and carries a 62% bust out rate with it, which in turn is favourable to the player. However, if the dealer revealed a two, three, four, or even a five when hitting on a soft 17, players may not be so lucky.
There tends to be this idea that standing on a soft 17 is more favourable, but it may not always be the case. Regardless, the best thing to do is ensure you take the basic strategy chart in account when considering which rule variant to play, which we discuss below.
Can players hit on a soft 17?
This rule isn’t exclusive for dealers; however, it’s only included in some variants, while players can hit on soft 17 in all titles. It isn’t advised for players to always hit on a soft 17 and that is when the basic blackjack strategy enters, suggesting to double down if allowed depending on the dealer’s up card.
What is the basic blackjack strategy?
The basic blackjack strategy is a chart, or multiple charts due to the amount of blackjack variations, which basically tells you the best move to make when the dealer has a certain card in relation to your hand. It isn’t a sure thing, but it is the best move to make according to mathematical calculations.
There are actually two predominant charts involved with one specifically made for variants where the dealer hits on a soft 17 and another for where the dealer stands on a soft 17. This is because it is recommended to do certain actions differently in accordance to whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17.
Basic strategy with soft 17
As mentioned above, there are modifications needed to be made when playing with the soft 17 rule. This in includes a number of hands against certain dealer cards. We have listed most of them, but remember to look it up yourself, especially if you are playing with less than four decks.
- Player has a total of 11 and dealer has an Ace: Double Down instead of hit
- Player has a soft 18 and dealer has a two: Double down instead of stand
- Player has hard 15 and dealer has an Ace: Surrender if allowed instead of hit
- Player has a pair of eights and dealer has an ace: Surrender if allowed instead of split
Blackjack variations with the soft 17 rule
There are multiple variations available online which offer the soft 17 rule where the dealer hits. It is important to note which title you are playing and even the software provider incase they have varying payouts. When searching for a strategy chart ensure you have the right game rules along with the soft 17 rule.
Single Deck Blackjack Pro – This title is by Net Entertainment and includes the dealer hits on soft 17 rule. With just a single deck, players will need to look up a basic strategy chart with one deck and the soft 17 rule. There is also a high and low limit version which both offer the same rules.
Spanish 21 – From Micgrogaming, this is an interesting variation of blackjack which offers the soft 17 rule. Players will need to look up a blackjack strategy chart specific to the Spanish 21 title and the soft 17 rule.
What is the difference in house edge between a 'stand on soft 17' and a 'stands on all 17's' table?
I have been told that it decreases the house's edge, but by how much?
-B
I am starting to believe that these are actually the same rule, just worded differently. Can anybody confirm/deny this?
which it is, but the penalty is to you. The term should be 'gets' to hit on soft 17.
In Vegas I have seen the following variations:
'dealer stands on soft 17'
'dealer must stand on all 17s'
'dealer stands on all 17's'
'dealer must draw to 16, and stand on all 17's'
I have noticed that a few casinos offer BJ tables where the dealer 'stands on all 17's.'
What is the difference in house edge between a 'stand on soft 17' and a 'stands on all 17's' table?
I have been told that it decreases the house's edge, but by how much?
So, there is no difference - it's the same rule.
In Vegas I have seen the following variations:
'dealer stands on soft 17'
'dealer must stand on all 17s'
'dealer stands on all 17's'
'dealer must draw to 16, and stand on all 17's'
The more variations they write, the more potential to 'confuse' the customer can arise, which can lead to them playing a H17 game which the house likes, that's the only reason I can see.
-B
Blackjack Dealer Training
Blackjack Chart Dealer Stands On 17
Stand on soft 17 means the same as stand on all 17's since everyone stands on hard 17. The alternate unfavorable rule is hit on soft 17. And it is usually stated that the casino 'must' hit soft 17 so as to sound like a penalty action -
which it is, but the penalty is to you. The term should be 'gets' to hit on soft 17.
Nicely stated! I'm a newbie at BJ. However I've been practicing rigorously BS and counting. Soon I will give it a try at a real casino. I live in Maryland not too far from Charles Town WV. The tables there are H17, with $25 min. My bankroll is 5,000. Can H17 be consistently beaten? Or should I drive an 1 1/2 hour further to one of the PA casinos that all have S17? Your input would be appreciated.
Blackjack Dealer Stands On 17 Strategy
Nicely stated! I'm a newbie at BJ. However I've been practicing rigorously BS and counting. Soon I will give it a try at a real casino. I live in Maryland not too far from Charles Town WV. The tables there are H17, with $25 min. My bankroll is 5,000. Can H17 be consistently beaten? Or should I drive an 1 1/2 hour further to one of the PA casinos that all have S17? Your input would be appreciated.
Blackjack Strategy Chart Dealer Stands On 17
Your bankroll is much, much, much too small to play $25 minimum. If you are counting, you will have to spread at least 1-4, which means that your big bets will be $100. That is 2% of your bankroll, which by the Kelly Criterion, will be too large a percentage, since you are rarely going to have a 2% advantage.Your bankroll, if you want an acceptable risk of ruin, would permit only a maximum bet of $15. This would depend on the number of decks and the rules of the game you intend to play. If this was a single deck game with double on anything, H17, and other normal rules, you could probably get away with a max bet of $20. If this was a shoe game with H17, you would be up against a starting disadvantage of -0.71%. That means your bankroll gets nibbled at by all those -EV situations at a true count of +1 or less, and the opportunities for +EV big bets come that much less often.
I would only play on a short bankroll like yours if the game was S17, single deck, Vegas strip rules. Otherwise, your edge is just too small to play the H17 game with only 200 units.